Top 4 Reasons to Apply to the Laureate Global Fellowship

Guest Post By
Rafael Henrique Rodrigues

Are you still
wondering whether you should apply for the 2013 Laureate Global Fellowship?

As a 2012 Fellow, I
feel compelled to offer some insight. Read on to learn
the top four reasons you shouldn’t let this opportunity pass you by.

1) Support from Impassioned Allies

Some call you insane; some
call you bold. If you really want to change the world, you may be a little of
both. That said, the life of a social entrepreneur can be challenging, with few
places to turn for support.

YouthActionNettruly believes that young people like us can change the world. They
believe in it so much that they have selected knowledgeable and passionate staff
to help us with this mission.

Each member of the
YouthActionNet team is not only a committed professional, but also a great
human being.. To work with people who want to change the world, you must be
one!

As a fellow, you will experience
the unique opportunity to be supported by people who think (and act) like you
to take your social organization to the next level!

2) Learn in an Amazing Setting

Every year the
YouthActionNet retreat happens somewhere fantastic (last year for example, I
had the opportunity to visit Istanbul).

This year you should
be especially excited to be a fellow… Between feasting on international
cuisine, dancing Argentine tango, gathering with new friends around drinks and samba
dancing on the weekend, you will have the experience of a lifetime in São Paulo, Brazil— my
hometown and the location of the 2013 fellowship retreat!

3) Forge
Lifelong Bonds

Excited about the possibility of exploring a new
place like São Paulo? I know the feeling. The opportunity to discover Istanbul, on the
other side of the globe, was unique for me.

I must admit, however, that the experience of
spending an entire week immersed with 19 other young social entrepreneurs from
all corners of the world surpassed, by far, the experience of visiting the
city.

In just seven days I made friendships that will
last a lifetime. Living and learning everyday with a group of people sharing
the same motivation and desire to make the world a better place was inspiring
and pushed me to give my best every day since I have returned home.